NEW YORK — A decade ago, Jennifer Kent’s “The Babadook” made its debut in just two theaters. This month, it’s making a triumphant return to 500 screens nationwide.

“It’s surreal but incredibly gratifying. I can’t believe it’s already been 10 years. It’s wonderful to revisit this film,” Kent shared from her home in Australia. “Given its limited initial release, I’m proud it’s still resonating with audiences.”

“The Babadook,” a haunting exploration of parenthood that helped redefine modern horror cinema, is just one of many films celebrating anniversaries with theatrical re-releases this year. Look at any cinema marquee, and alongside new releases, you’ll likely find a selection of beloved older films.

In an era where almost anything can be streamed at home with a few clicks, the resurgence of older films in theaters is remarkable. Once the domain of arthouse cinemas, repertory films are now a staple in multiplexes.

The box office results can be staggering. For instance, the beloved 2009 stop-motion film “Coraline” by Henry Selick recently grossed over $25 million during a two-week re-release, an impressive feat for a 15-year-old film. Similarly, Disney’s re-release of “Star Wars: Episode One – The Phantom Menace” brought in $19.4 million globally earlier this year.

This fall, audiences can look forward to anniversary screenings of films like “Shaun of the Dead,” “Paris, Texas,” “Whiplash,” “Hoop Dreams,” and “Interstellar.” While classic films like “Seven Samurai” and “The Conversation” often return to theaters, it’s becoming more common for relatively recent movies to receive wide re-releases, drawing large crowds.

“The Babadook,” originally a small independent film that achieved cult status, is poised to surpass its original $1 million North American box office gross. Nicole Weis, vice president of distribution for IFC, notes, “It has garnered a new fan base. Many fans never saw it theatrically. Bringing it back allows them to experience it as it was meant to be seen—on the big screen.”

While theatrical attendance hasn’t fully recovered to pre-pandemic levels, partly due to a reduced number of new releases, the trend of showing older films helps fill the gap. Various factors, including last year’s industry work stoppages, have led to fewer nationwide film releases.

To address these gaps, major theater chains like AMC, Regal, and Cinemark formed Fathom Events in 2005. Fathom distributes live broadcasts of events like the Metropolitan Opera and special events such as the Studio Ghibli Fest. Its re-release of “Coraline,” including 3D screenings, set new records for Fathom.

“The interest in classic movies has surged,” says Ray Nutt, CEO of Fathom. “This year, we’re seeing a 75% year-over-year increase in this category.”

Initially, Fathom focused on quieter cinema days like Mondays and Tuesdays but has since expanded. Earlier this year, they successfully ran the “Lord of the Rings” trilogy over a weekend. Upcoming classics include anniversary showings of “Rear Window,” “Blazing Saddles,” “Mean Girls,” and “The Fifth Element.”

“The definition of a classic movie is evolving,” Nutt jokes. “It used to be 50 years old; now we’re talking about ‘Coraline’ at 15.”

Streaming services often bury older films on their home pages. In today’s digital content sea, how new a movie is often matters less than the viewing experience. Would you prefer to watch “Jaws” on your couch while scrolling through your phone or on a big screen with an audience collectively on edge?

Mark Anastasio, program director at Coolidge Corner Theatre in Brookline, Massachusetts, observed the appeal of older films when reopening after pandemic closures. With few new releases available, the interest in repertory films never waned.

“We’ve increased our repertory offerings so that we now show an older movie every night of the week,” Anastasio says. “The demand is there.”

Anastasio has found he can delve deeper into filmmaker catalogs and still draw crowds. Recent successful screenings included Spike Lee’s “Inside Man” in 35mm and William Friedkin’s 1977 thriller “Sorcerer.” The Coolidge’s upcoming plans include three weeks of 70mm screenings (“Lawrence of Arabia,” “Inception”) and a “Schlock and Awe” series featuring William Castle films with their original gimmicks.

This type of programming is not new for urban arthouses but is increasingly spreading to multiplexes. Older films are filling screens usually reserved for first-run movies out of necessity.

“There’s about 20-30% fewer majorly distributed films now than five years ago,” says Jeremy Boviard, general manager of the four-screen Moviehouse in Millerton, New York. “There are definitely more gaps in certain programming weekends.”

Movies and TV shows continue casting across the U.S., offering fresh content while older favorites draw audiences back to theaters for nostalgic experiences. Whether it’s classic or contemporary films, the cinematic experience remains a powerful draw for moviegoers seeking more than just a casual viewing at home.